The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) marked the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day to remind the public that intellectual property (IP) theft impacts the American economy as a whole.

Agents took the time to readily spread the message that IP thefts threaten the health and safety of all consumers and remind that monies generated from the act serve to fund criminal organizations involved in violent activities across the globe.

The ICE-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center has become the U.S. government's response to shoring up national security from the proliferation of counterfeit goods and services.

Task Force Combined of 23 Organizations

The task force is comprised of 23 investigative organizations that support ICE agents dedicated to tracking the manufacturing and distribution of all counterfeit goods.

Just last year, a record $1.35 million is counterfeit seizures were made related to intellectual property violations, ending in at least 538 arrests, 339 indictments and 357 convictions.

"Intellectual property enforcement is a team effort between U.S. government agencies, international customs authorities and members of industry," said IPR Center Director Bruce Foucart. "The IPR Center is committed to providing training and outreach to domestic and international agencies, educating the public on the dangers of counterfeit goods and supporting field investigations by affording agents with all possible resources."

IPR Teaming With Other International Agencies

Over time, the IPR Center has improved IP enforcement by teaming with various other international customs agencies and investigative authorities. Just last fall, the agency coordinated with law enforcement in China to bring down a counterfeit airbag ring that was illegally peddling its wares in the U.S.

Just two months ago, IPR Center coordinated with authorities in Mexico and Hong Kong to bust a counterfeit sports merchandise ring. Among other recent initiatives was the expansion of the Trade Enforcement Coordination Center, which more closely aligns ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials by increasing the flow of intelligence and more closely monitoring the flow of counterfeit products deemed harmful to the masses.

In conjunction with other government agencies, ICE officials recently released data stating that the total number of products seized last year hit 28,865, a significant increase from the 23,140 reported the year before.

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